Charles Cousins has already tasted success on a world stage, but even that will pale into insignificance if he wins an Olympic medal this year.

And the Reading University Boat Club member believes he stands a good chance of achieving one.

Cousins is one of five from which the quadruple scull will be selected for next month’s two World Cup events with the one left out switching to a single boat.

A good performance in Belgrade early in the month and in Lucerne three weeks later will be rewarded with an Olympic ticket.

“To be in the running at this time is a good position to be in,” said Cousins, who with Bill Lucas won a good medal in the double sculls at the 2008 World Under-23 Championships.

Cousins and Lucas teamed up with Reading’s Sam Townsend and Stephen Rowbotham to finish a creditable fifth in the quads at the 2010 World Championships, having become the first GB men’s crew in this discipline to reach the final since 1982.

Since then, however, GB’s performance director David Tanner has made changes.

One of the biggest surprises was to take Townsend and Lucas out of the four and switch them to the double sculls.

Cousins, who graduated from Reading in 2007 with a degree in psychology, has now been given a seat alongside an all-Leander Club crew.

“We have Olympic and world medalists in the boat,” said 23-year-old Cousins.

“They are a great set of guys with so much potential there.

“It is really exciting to be part of this calibre of guys and I think we can do something special this year.”

RUBC colleague Townsend said he is sad to be leaving the quad, but excited to be sharing a boat with Lucas.

“Bill and myself know we have got to perform in the World Cup to make sure we go to the Olympics,” said Townsend

“We are not going there to make up the numbers.

“I am not going to say we are definitely going to win, but we certainly feel we are capable of doing that.

“We are going there to perform and win medals and hopefully we will win the best colour possible.”

Cousins and Townsend, who were both part of the GB Rowing teams start programme sponsored by Siemens, are funded by the Lottery through UK Sport.